All eyes will soon turn to Aintree for the 176th running of the Grand National.
Corach Rambler looks to defend his crown, having given jockey Derek Fox and trainer Lucinda Russell their second win in the race 12 months ago. Russell said she was “absolutely over the moon” earlier this month when Corach Rambler stayed on well up the hill to finish third in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
I Am Maximus, Vanillier and Panda Boy are among his strongest challengers, while 2022 winner Noble Yeats will be looking to improve on last year’s fourth.
Changes have been made to this year’s Grand National, with the maximum number of runners reduced from 40 to 34, while the race will start earlier. The first fence has been brought forward 60 yards, in an attempt to slow the pace in the early stages, and a standing start will be used.
Date, start time and venue
The 2024 Grand National meeting runs from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13, with the Grand National itself taking place at 4pm BST on Saturday.
It is an earlier start time for the race, having previously been 5:15pm.
Sulekha Varma, The Jockey Club’s North West Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Aintree, said: “This was a decision we took after a number of participants and other racing stakeholders raised concerns about the long build-up to the race throughout the day and heightened tension as a result.”
Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool will host the race.
Grand National meeting race card, schedule and results
Thursday:
1:45pm: Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
2.20pm: Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.55pm: Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
3.30pm: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.05pm: Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
4.40pm: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase
5.15pm: Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat
Friday:
1:45pm: Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
2.20pm: William Hill Handicap Hurdle
2.55pm: TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
3.30pm: My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1)
4.05pm: Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Chase
4.40pm: Cavani Sartorial Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
5.15pm: Lydiate Handicap Hurdle
Saturday:
1:20pm: Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle
1.55pm: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.30pm: William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase
3.05pm: JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.00pm: Randox Grand National Steeple Chase
5:00pm: Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
5.35pm: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat
Grand National latest odds
Final field for the race has not yet been confirmed
Corach Rambler 9/2
I Am Maximus 8/1
Vanillier 9/1
Panda Boy 11/1
Mahler Mission 12/1
Meetingofthewaters 12/1
Mr Incredible 14/1
Kitty’s Light 14/1
Noble Yeats 14/1
Galvin 16/1
Limerick Lace 16/1
Bar 18/1
